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Singularities: Landmarks on the pathways of life by Christian de Duve

By Adrian Barnett

THIS book explores the seven mechanisms by which biological phenomena might arise, and how five of them have contributed to life on the planet. The journey takes us deep into molecular biochemistry, a land fraught with polysyllables, equations and chapter titles such as “Homochirality” and “Thioesters”. Fear not, though, for our guide not only jointly won the 1974 Nobel prize for physiology and medicine, but can also explain complex theories in fine, incisive prose. He takes us on a dazzling trip within a cell, providing a beautiful exposition of life’s biochemical cycles, their elegance, equilibrium and evolution. …